Anchor for securing accessories to concrete and the like



Oct. 20, 1959 p ps 2,909,054

ANCHOR FOR SECURING ACCESSORIES TO CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 1a,1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 c I60 [6 I7 730 27 22 INVENTOR I 'SYEORGE T.PHILLIPS K H IS ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1959 e. T. PHILLIPS ANCHOR- FORSECURING ACCESSORIES T0 CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 15, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GEORGE T. PHILLIPS BY v HIS ATTQRNEYS UnitedStates Patent I ANCHOR \FOR SECURING ACCESSORIES T CONCRETE AND THE LIKEGeorge T. Phillips, Redford, N .Y. Application February '13, 1956,Serial N0. 565,005

I 9 Claims. (Cl. 72-105) This invention relates to improvements indevices for anchoring or' securing building accessories to buildingstructures and it relates more particularly to a structural striprnemberwhich can be mounted in the walls, ceilings, floors or the likeof buildings in order to receive a fasteningor supporting element bymeans of which such building" accessories as light fixtures, conduits,pipes, outlet boxes and the like may be supported.

This is a continuation-in-part of my U.S. application Ser. No'. 547,949,filed Nov. 21, 1955 now abandoned. Heretofor'e; when it is desired tosuspend building aceessories from the walls or ceilings of a buildingstructurefformed of masonry materials, it is necessary to drill 'or'otherwise form holes in the building structure for expansion anchors orthe like to receive screws to anchor the accessories to the structure.Oftent'imes it is found: that the ceiling or wall already has a pipe orconduit concealed therein at the zone in which the an- .chors' are to belocated so that the anchor-receiving holes either cannot be drilled atthe place required or the workman damagesthe conduit or pipe whendrilling info the wall or ceiling.

The present invention provides an effective means for overcoming thedifficulties encountered with the support- --ing devices heretoforeused. In accordance with the present'invention, metallic strip membersare provided which can be mounted in a wall, floor, ceiling or otherpart or a building structure during the construction of "the same sothat the strips become an integral part of the building structure. Eachof the strips has an outreceivea headed fastening element that can bedriven 'into'tlfe slot andgripped by the strip to retain the fasteningelement in the slot. Inasmuch as the slot runs the len'gth' of thefastening unit, any number of fastening devices in any desired spacedrelation can be mounted in each strip. As a consequence, lightingfixtures, pipes, ic 'ond'tiitsand other building accessories can bemounted ih'lalmos't any desired position or location by fastening"devices inserted in one or more of the supporting strips at thedesiredlocation.

' 'Inor'der to facilitate the use of the new anchor and supportingdevices, they may be provided with portions which enable the grippingportions of the strip to separate as the fastening element-safe insertedinto the slot and then to contract therebyto grip and support thefasten-f ing elements in such position that they cannot be removedreadily or dislodged by vibration or any reasonable application offorceth'ereto. This arrangement assures a .strong connection between thefastening elements and the ichannel strips and a positive and firmsupport for the accessories;

For a better understanding o'f the present invention, rfere'nee may behad to the accompanying drawing in which. 1 V i l Figured is aperspective view of a portion of one of i channel strip-with the headedfastener inserted therem positely' directed flanges 12 and t of: thestrip. The flange portions 12 and 1'3 merge into sidepanels 14 and 15which converge inwardly and termi- 10 and its: adjacent rubber stripsbedded in the concrete when the -wardly opening slot extendingthroughout its length to.

- the hollow interior of the strip. located in the building structurethat concrete might flow. into the gap 18' of the strip, the gap can becovered 2,909,054 Patented Oct. 20,1959

the channel strips embedded in a concrete element such as a section ofconcrete ceiling;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a typical channel strip anda headed fastener for engagement therewith;

Figure 3 is a similar perspective view of the channel strip and headedfastener showing the relatlon of the 'parts at the time the head of thefastener has just entered the channel strip;

Figure 4' is a perspective view of a portion of the and illustrating aclip for anchoring the fastener in the channel strip;

Figure 5 is a-view in section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing theassembly of' the channel strip,

headed fastener and clip in a masonry structure;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a modified form; ofchannel strip viewed from below; and

Figure 7' is a perspective view of a portion of another form of channelstrip= viewed from below the strip. .1

Figures 1 to 5 show a typical form of channel strip 'of a kind embodyingthe present invention and by means of which the invention can bepracticed. The channel strip is formed of thin, springy, sheet metal,such as sheet steel. The channel strip 10 has a flat head portion 11provided with reversely bent edge portions forming op- 13, at the upperedge nate i'n inwardly and reversely outwardly curved flanges 16 and 17extending lengthwise of the strip. As illustrated in Figure 5', theflanges 16 and 17'may have inner surface portions 16a and 17a whichconverge upwardly slightly on opposite sides of the slot 18 between themwhich runs the full length of the strip 10.,

In use, one or more channel strips 10 may be supported at the bottom ofthe mold form for casting a concrete ceiling or the like. On oppositesides of the side flanges -14an'd 15 of the channel are mountedelongated strips '19 and 20 formed of naturalor synthetic rubber orother resilient and compressible material. The concrete C may then'becast on the mold form so that the channel strip 19 and 20' are emlatterhas set. The presence of the rubber strips 19 and 20 permits the sidepanels 14 and 15 of the channel strips to be spread apart slightly forapurpose to be described.

Inasmuch as 'the channel units are disposed with their slotted sides atthe surface of the concrete structure C, and the open sides thereof areprotected by the shape of the flanges 16 and 17', the concrete cannotflow into If the strips 10 are so by means of a removable tape appliedto the flanges 16 and 17 during pouring of the concrete, the tape beingremoved afterthe concrete has hardened and the mold form removed;

In order to secure building accessories, such as lights, conduits, pipesand the like, to the building structure, headed fastening elements 21 ofthe type disclosed generally in Figures 2 to 5 of the drawing areprovided.

22 having a threaded end portion 23 and an enlarged,

head 24 is not important gap 18 between flanges 16 and 17 to allow thehead to pass into the hollow interior of the channel strip' 10. Therubber strips 19 and 20 allow the flanges 16 and 17 -materials ofinflammable nature.

to spread apart as the head is inserted and also aid in springing themback together to grip the portion of the fastener element 21 behind thehead. The neck portion 25 of the fastening element 21 directly adjacentto the.

head 24 may have its opposite sides flattened as at 25a and is somewhatnarrower than the diameter of the bolt portion 22. Moreover, the flats25a on the fastener are disposed at an angle to the enlarged head 24 sothat when the flanges 16 and 17 of the strip spring back against theflats, the fastener 21 will be rotated to dispose the head 24 at anangle to the slot 18. In this position the head 24 overlies the flanges16 and 17 and resists withdrawal from the channel unit.

A most secure type of connection is obtained with the structure shown inFigure wherein the head 26 of the threaded fastening element 27 isdisposed at a right angle to the flats 28a and 29a on opposite sides 0fthe fastening element and the lower surface of the head 26 is undercutat opposite sides to conform to the upwardly converging surfaces 161:and 17a of the flanges. This arrangement requires the fastening element27 to be lifted as it is rotated in order to disengage the head .fromthe flanges 16 and 17, an action which is unlikely site sides of thelower free edges of the reversely bent flanges 16 and 17 and having anelongated notch 33 to "engage flats 25a, 28a, 29a of the fasteningelements.

The clip 30 prevents rotation of the fastening element relative to thechannel strip so that disengagement of these elements is effectivelyprevented.

In some instances it may be undesirable to include, as a part of thechannel strips, the rubber or resilient strips 19 and 20 describedabove. Building codes or regulations in some localities may prohibit theuse of Accordingly, the channel strip can be modified to omit theresilient strips 19 and 20 and yet provide space for movement of thegripping flanges of the strip. Such a modified type of channel strip isdisclosed in Figure 6 and includes a flat base portion 40 havingoutwardly extending wings or flanges 41 and 42 from which extend theconverging side panels 43 and 44 having inwardly and reversely curvedflange portions 45 and 46 defining the entrance slot 47. An invertedchannel member 48 formed of sheet metal or the like is secured to thebase portion 40 by means of outwardly extending flanges49 and 50 at itslateral edges whichare secured to the flanges 41 and 42 by spot welding,seam welding, brazing or in any other desired way. The side walls 51 and52 of the channel member are of approximately the same height as theoverall height of the side panels 43 and 44 and. the outwardly extendingflanges 45 and 46 so that the bottom panel 53 of the channel overliesand is substantially in contact -with the edges of the flanges 45 and46.

A centrally located groove 54 is formed in the bottom panel 53 of thechannel in substantial alignment with the slot 47 between the flangesand the groove 54 is provided with a plurality of openings 55 throughwhich support- .ing elements 21 can be inserted.

Inasmuch as the bottom panel 53 of the channel member 48 issubstantially in contact with the lowermost edges of the flanges 45 and46, it does not deflect inwardly appreciably when supporting member 21is inserted through the slot; I The width of the bottom panel' .53 iswider than the combined widths of the flanges 45 and 46 and the slot 47so that the flanges can spring outwardly to admit the head of thesupporting element into the slot 47. H i

The above described channel strip can be used in the same manneras thechannel strips disclosed in-the Figures 1 to 5 and has the advantage ofbeing even stronger because of the reinforcing action of the channelmember 48. f

Another channel strip 60 is disclosed in Figure 7. It is substantiallythe same as the channel strip disclosed in Figure 6 with the exceptionthat the groove 61 in the base 62 of the channel member 63 is notprovided with openings therein. However, the channel member 63 is formedof a relatively thin metal so that a wedge-shaped supporting element 21can easily be driven through the metal in the groove 61 and into theslot 64 in the channel strip 60. The close proximity of the channelmember 63 to the side panels of the channel strip prevents substantialdistortion of the channel member when the supporting elements are driventhrough the bottom of the groove. This form of channel strip has theadded advantage of requiring no covering to prevent entry of concreteinto the strip during pouring of the concrete, inasmuch as the sides andbottom of the channel strip are completely closed. The ends can also beclosed by providing suitable end caps for the ends of the channel strip,if desired.

It will be understood that the channel strips, when mounted in theceiling of a structure, may be covered With a protective strip and maybe concealed by plaster or the like on the ceiling or wall. However, ifit is desired to attach an accessory such as a light bracket, theplaster can be opened at a point overlying the strip and fasteningelements 21 are driven into the exposed channel portion to securelyanchor the element in place.

Moreover, the size of the channel strips and the fastening elements canbe varied depending upon the service conditions under which they areused. For example, when they are mounted in oflice buildings or the likeWhere the accessories are light in weight, the channel strips may be onthe order of an inch deep or smaller. On the other hand, when used inindustrial establishments for supporting pulleys, machinery and thelike, the channel strips may be made much larger and of much heaviermaterial commensurate with the load to be supported.

The presence of the channel strips in a concrete ceiling or the likedoes not adversely afiect'the strength of the ceiling inasmuch as thechannel strips in themselves will be in the nature of reinforcements forthe concrete.

Therefore, the channel strips more than compensate for sidered asillustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A connecting device to be mounted in a building structure to supportbuilding accessories thereon'comprising a channel-like strip having abase and resilient side panels extending outwardly from said base withinwardly directed flanges at their outer edges defining a slot extendinglengthwise of said. strip, and a channel member enclosing and spacedfromsaid side panels and having a base portion adjacent to and covering.said flanges, said channel member having sides joined to said base ofsaid channel-like strip and spaced from said side panels to enableoutward displacement of said panels and flanges.

2. A connecting device to be mounted in a building structure to supportbuilding accessories thereon comprising a channel-like strip having abase and resilient side panels extending outwardly from saidbase withinwardly directed flanges at their outer edges defining a slot extendinglengthwise of said strip, a fastening element having a head of generallywedge-shaped crosssection to be driven through said slot between saidflanges and gripped by the flanges to retain the fastening element insaid channel strip and a channel member secured to said strip and havingside portions disposed outwardly of said panels and a base portionadjacent to and out- Wardly of said flanges, said base portion having agroove therein substantially in alignment with said slot to guide thehead of said fastening element into said slot.

3. A connecting device to be mounted in a building structure to supportbuilding accessories thereon comprising a channel-like strip having abase and resilient side panels extending outwardly from said base withinwardly directed flanges at their outer edges defining a slot extendinglengthwise of said strip, a fastening element having a head of generallywedge-shaped crosssection to be driven through said slot between saidflanges and gripped by the flanges to retain the fastening element insaid channel strip and a channel member secured to said strip and havingside portions disposed outwardly of said panels and a base portionadjacent to and outwardly of said flanges, said base portion having agroove therein with spaced apertures along its length substantially inalignment with said slot to guide the head of said fastening elementinto said slot.

4. The connecting device set forth in claim 1 comprising a fasteningelement having a head of generally wedgeshaped cross-section to bedriven through the channel member and said slot between said flanges andgripped by the flanges to retain the fastening element in said channelstrip, said fastening element having a neck portion of reducedcross-section adjacent to said head, said neck portion having flattenedsurfaces on opposite sides thereof disposed at an angle to said head forengagement with said flanges to dispose said head at an angle to saidslot after it passes between said flanges.

5. A connecting device to be installed in a building structure tosupport building accessories thereon comprising an elongated resilientmetal strip of channel-like cross-section having a substantially flatbase, side panels converging away from said base, laterally extendingflanges at the junction of said base and side panels, inturned flangesat the outer edges of said side panels defining a slot, said inturnedflanges having substantially flat inner surfaces and diverging outersurfaces, a fastened element having an enlarged head to be driven intosaid slot between said inturned flanges to a position behind saidflanges to be retained thereby and an inverted channel member havingside portions secured to the laterally extending flanges of said stripand a bottom portion overlying the outer edges of said side panels andsaid slot, said side portions being spaced from said side panels toenable the side panels to move relatively.

6. A connecting device to be installed in a building structure tosupport building accessories thereon comprising an elongated resilientmetal strip of channel-like cross-section having a substantially flatbase, side panels converging away from said base, laterally extendingflanges at the junction of said base and side panels, inturned flangesat the outer edges of said side panels defining a slot, said inturnedflanges having substantially flat inner surfaces and diverging outersurfaces, a fastening element having an enlarged head to be driven intosaid slot between said inturned flanges to a position behind saidflanges to be retained thereby and an inverted channel member havingside portions secured to the laterally extending flanges of said stripand a bottom portion overlying the outer edges of said side panels andsaid slot, said side portions being spaced from said side panels toenable the side panels to move relatively, said bottom portion having agroove therein substantially in alignment with said slot.

7. The connecting device set forth in claim 5 in which the fasteningdevice comprises a bolt having a threaded shank and said enlarged headat one end, the head being of generally wedge-shaped cross-section tofacilitate its passage through said slot and retention by said inturnedflanges and having an apex edge of greater length than the greatestcross-sectional dimension of said shank and providing portions disposedon opposite sides of said shank.

8. The connecting device set forth in claim 5 in which the fasteningdevice comprises a bolt having a threaded shank and said enlarged headat one end, the shank adjacent to said head having a pair of flatsurfaces on opposite sides thereof adjacent to said head and the headbeing of generally wedge-shaped cross-section to facilitate its passagethrough said slot and having an apex edge of greater length than thegreatest cross-sectional dimension of said shank and providing portionsdisposed on opposite sides of said shank.

9. The connecting device set forth in claim 5 in which the innersurfaces of said inturned flanges are inclined at an acute angle towardsaid base and the head of said fastening element has inner surfacesthereon substantially complemental to the inclination of said innersurfaces of said inturned flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS581,353 Lamb Apr. 27, 1897 1,768,456 Smith June 24, 1930 1,779,346Trachte Oct. 21, 1930 1,865,131 Olsen June 28, 1932 2,020,062 JacksonNov. 5, 1935 2,135,118 Stewart Nov. 1, 1938 2,533,797 Hartman Dec. 12,1950 2,713,284 Bedford July 19; 1955 2,780,128 Rapata Feb. 5, 1957FOREIGN PATENTS 252,730 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1927 247,636 SwitzerlandMar. 31, 1947

